Toxic Chemicals Found In Back To School Items

Back to school shopping season is stressful enough for parents. It costs a pretty penny for all those supplies to get kids ready for class. But now, some of those supplies have been found to contain harmful and hazardous materials.

The U.S. Public Interest Research Group has published results of a study done on certain brands of school supplies. They found that some brands contain carcinogens and other harmful chemicals. Playskool brand crayons sold at Dollar Tree stores were found to contain trace amounts of asbestos. And here's the stunner. It's LEGAL in the U.S. for that to happen! Yes, even though science has proven that kids should never be exposed to asbestos, it's legal in this country for crayons to have it!

A three-ring binder also sold at Dollar Tree was found to contain phthalates which have been traced to asthma and low IQ scores in children. Dry erase markers at the store were also found to contain benzene. The agency is recommending that Dollar Tree issue a recall for the mentioned products.

Every year the PIRG released a study that points out products for kids that may contain chemicals and other harmful ingredients. To see this year's full list, click HERE.